Dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp



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Oct. 1, 1963 B. F. TOFFLEMIRE 3,105,301

DENTAL RETAINER WITH CRIMPING DEVICE FOR MATRIX BAND RETAINING CLAMP Filed April 2, 1962 TI E 5 INVENTOR BENJAMIN F- TOF-FLEMIRE BY i'wfa' ATTORNEY Unlted States Patent ice m, at, 1, its

3,105,301 latter from a gingival aspect of the head, and is made to DENTAL RETAHVER WITH CRIB RING DEVICE FQR MATRIX BAND RETAINING (SLAB P Beniamin F. Tofileniire, P3). Box 677, Lafayette, Calif. Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,149

5 Claims. (Cl. 3263) The present invention rel-ates to improvements in a dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp. It consists of the combinations, constructions, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

As the cardinal object of this invention, it is proposed to provide a matrix retainer having a slotted head adapted to be positioned alongside a patients tooth, the slot being made to removably receive a substantially U-shaped retaining clamp. The arrangement is such that overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band may be drawn through the slot and between the legs of the clamp, with the loop of the band extending from the head to encircle a patients tooth. The retainer may be actuated to constrict the loop around the banded tooth, and then the crimping device actuated to crimp the clamp upon the overlapped end sections of the band. Thereafter, the retainer may be removed from the patients month, while the erimped clamp remains on the band to hold the loop of the band around the tooth. This will afford ample working space in the operative field for the dentist, without interference by the retainer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a matrix retainer and crimping device for a matrix band retaining clamp that are combined into a unitary dental instrument.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

Drawing For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is :a side elevational view of my dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are top plan and bottom plan views, respectively, of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational vie-W looking at the lefthand end of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of one of the matrix band retaining clamps.

' W-lnle I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or mochfications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed Description Referring now to the drawing in detail, I have shown a dental matrix retainer which is designated generally at A. It is provided with a slotted head B at its forward end adapted to be positioned alongside a patients tooth C, and operable for constricting a looped matrix band D around the tooth.

The matrix retainer defines a longitudinally extending bar 16 secured to the slotted head B to extend rearwardly therefrom. The slot ll of the head extends into the removably receive a substantially U-shaped retaining clamp E having its legs 12 disposed to straddle overlapped end sections 14 of the band D. The slotted head B defines a pair of fingers 15 disposed to bear against and support the legs of the clamp.

It will be noted that the matrix retainer A has a slidable block 16 disposed on the bar lit for back and forth adjustment movement therealong. The overlapped end sections 14 of the band D may be inserted into a diagonal slot 17 of the block 16, as clearly shown in FIG- URE 3.

For the purpose of detachably securing the overlapped end sections 14 of the matrix band to the block 16, the latter is fashioned with a threaded bore 18 that intersects the diagonal slot 17. A spindle 19 has its forward end threaded into the bore i8, and this spindle has a conical end 2%; arranged to clamp the end sections 14- of the band to the slidable block 16. The spindle may be rotated by :an operating knob 21 to cause the conical end 29 to engage with the band ends.

it will be apparent that movement of the slidable block 16 along the bar it in a direction away from the slotted head B will draw the loop 22 of the matrix band D tightly around the banded tooth C, while movement of the block in the opposite direction will relax the grip of the band upon the tooth, For the purpose of moving the spindle l9 axially and carrying the block 16 therewith, a rotatable sleeve 23 has been provided. The spindle is threaded through this sleeve, and the latter is fashioned with an annular groove 24 therein for receiving forked ends 25 formed at the rear part of the bar 19. The sleeve 23 may be rotated in one direction to advance the block 16 toward the slotted head B, while an opposite rotation of the sleeve will retract the block relative to the slotted head. The forked ends 25 hold the sleeve against longitudinal movement, but permit its free rotation.

Both of the fingers 15 of the slotted head B are fashioned with recesses as in opposite lateral sides thereof (see FIGURES l and 4), with these recesses extending occlusally from the free gin-gival ends thereof. The gingival ends of the fingers 15 define nibs 27 between their respective recesses, with the nibs being dimensioned to be inserted between spaced lugs 28 disposed on the exterior gingival corners of the legs 12 of the retaining clamp E (see FIGURE 5). These nibs bear against the lugs to hold the clamp from slipping laterally during the crimping of the clamp.

in order to crimp the legs 12. of the retaining clamp E upon the interposed end sections 14 of the matrix band D, after the loop 22. has been constricted around the tooth C, a lever 29 has been swing-ably secured by a pivot pin 32* to the head B. This lever is accommodated in a slot 31 (see FIGURES 1 and 2), and has a blade 32 at its gingival end (see FIGURES l, 3 and 4), this blade being disposed to force the adjacent leg 12 of the clamp E toward the other leg, when the lever is swung in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1 about its pin 30. This will crimp the clamp upon the interposed end sections 14 of the matrix band D. Thus the matrix retainer A may be lifted occlusally and removed from the patients month, while the crimped clamp remains on the band to hold the loop of the band around the tooth C.

For the purpose of swinging the lever 29, a self-locking toggle arrangement F has been provided, which 1ncludes :a rod 33 that is swingably secured to the occlusal end of the lever 29 by a pivot pin 34. This rod has its opposite end swingably secured by a pin 35 to an operating handle 36 forming part of the toggle arrangement F. When the handle 36 is swung into the dot-dash line position shown in FIGURE 1, thereby swinging the lever 29 in a direction to crimp the clamp E, the toggle arrangement will be locked. Handle 36 is secured to bar by pivot pins 36a.

Prior to removing the matrix retainer A from the crimped retaining clamp E, the operating handle 36 should be raised into the full line position shown in FIG- URE 1, and this will free the blade 32 from engagement with the crirnped clamp. 7

It will be noted from FIGURE 3 that one of the clamp legs 12 has a rib 37 on its inner surface, which registers with a notch 38 provided on the inner surface of the other leg. Accordingly, when the clamp is crimped upon the interposed end sections 14 of the matrix band, the in- -ternal rib 37 and the notch 38 will retain the crirnped clamp from slipping along the lengths of the overlapped end sections of the matrix band. 7

As a further structural feature, a convex guide surface 39 is provided on each lateral side of the retainer A, here shown as being on the finger 15 to which the lever 29 is secured, that is, the mesial finger. The slot 11 of the head B extends between opposite lateral sides thereof so that the loop 22 of the matrix band D may extend from either side of the head so that the retainer may be placed on the buccal or the lingual aspect of the tooth to be banded. 'The guide surface 39 selected on the remote side of the head from the banded tooth is positioned so that the portions of the end sections 14 of the band disposed between the ciamp E and the loop-constricting means (block 16, etc.) may be pulled over the selected convex guide surface, thereby preventing the matrix band from being damaged during the constricting of the loop around the tooth.

Of course, the excess ends of the matrix band D that project beyond the retaining clamp B, after the retainer A has been removed from the patient's mouth, may be turned back or cut off so as to avoid discomfort to the patient and avoid any interference with the work of the dentist.

After the prepared cavity 40 in the banded tooth C has been filled, the retaining clamp B may be readily removed from the overlapped end sections of the matrix band D by the releasing pliers shown in my copending application, Serial No. 102,735, filed April 13, 1961 (now Patent No. 3,041,729, dated July 3, 1962).

It will be observed that the diagonal slot 17 has been placed on the gingival aspect of the slidable block 16. Also, the spindle 19 has been arranged beneath the bar 10 in a median position, and this arrangement will shield the rotating spindle and prevent it from pinching or otherwise irritating the patients check or tongue.

Moreover, the selected convex guide surface 39 being used on the lateral side of the matrix retainer remote from the patients tooth C will serve to relieve the drag of the matrix band D on the retaining clamp E, as the matrix band is being constricted around the patients tooth. The selected guide surface 39 will provide a curved post over which the end sections 14 of the matrix band are drawn, as the block 16 is retracted from the slotted head B.

It will be apparent that my matrix retainer may be applied to the buccal or lingual aspect of the tooth being banded, on either the right or left side of the patients mouth, and the retainer may be used on either the upper or lower arch.

Other suitable means may be carried by the retainer A for crimping the retainer clamp E upon the interposed 4 7 ends 14, such as a jack-screw mounted on the spindle 19. This would reduce the bulk of the device.

I claim: 1. In a dental retainer with crimping device for ma- 5 trix b and retaining clamp:

(a) a matrix retainer provided with a slotted bead adapted to be positioned alongside a patients tooth, and having its slot arranged for slidably receiving overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band, with the loop of the band extending from the head to encircle the tooth;

(b) the slot of the head extending into the latter from a gingival aspect of the head, and being made to removably receive a substantially U-shaped retaining clamp having its legs disposed to straddle the overlapped end sections of the band;

(0) the slotted head defining a pair of fingers disposed to bear against and support the legs of the clamp; (d) loopconstricting means connected to the retainer and engageable with the end sections of the band, and being operable to pull the hand through the slotted head and the clamp for constricting the loop around the tooth;

(e) and means carried by the retainer and being operable to crimp the legs of the clamp upon the in terposed end sections of the constricted band, whereby the retainer may be removed from the patients month, while the crimped clamp remains on the band to hold the loop of the band around the banded tooth.

2. The dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp, as set forth in claim 1:

(1) and in which the retainer is provided with a convex guide surface over which the portions of the end sections of the hand disposed between the clamp and the loop-constricting means may be pulled during the constricting of the loop.

3. The dental retainer with crimping device for matrlx band retaining clamp, as set forth in claim 1:

(f) and in which the slot in the head extends between opposite lateral sides thereof so that the loop of the band may extend from either side of the head;

(g) the retainer being provided with a convex guide surface on each lateral side thereof;

(h) the 'guide surface selected on the lateral side of the head remote from the banded tooth being posi tioned so that the portions of the end sections of the band disposed between the clamp and the loopconstricting means may be pulled thereover during the constricting of the loop.

4. In a dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp:

(a) a matrix retainer provided with a slotted head' adapted to be positioned alongside a patients tooth, and having its slot arranged for slidably receiving overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band, with the loop of the band extending from the head to encircle the tooth;

(b) the slot of the head extending into the latter from a gingival aspect of the bead, and being made to removably receive a substantially U-shaped retaining clamp having its legs disposed to straddle the overlapped end sections of the band;

(0) the slotted head defining a pair of fingers disposed to bear against and support the clamp;

(d) loop constricting means connected to the retainer and engageable with the end sections of the band, and being operable to pull the band through the slotted head and the clamp for constricting the loop around the tooth;

(e) a lever swingably secured to the head, and having a blade disposed to force an adjacent leg of the clamp toward the other leg, when the lever is swung in one direction, thereby crimping the clamp npon the'interposed end sections of the constricted band, Whereby the retainer may be removed the patients month, while the on'mped clamp remains on the band to hold the loop of the band around the tooth;

(f) and means operable to swing the lever in one direction to crimp the clamp, and subsequently being operable to swing the lever in the opposite direction to free the blade from engagement with the orimped clamp.

5. The dental retainer with crimping device for matrix band retaining clamp, as set forth in claim 4;

6 (g) and in which the lever-swinging means includes a self-locking toggle arrangement, which is movable into locked position when the lever is swung to crimp the clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A DENTAL RETAINER WITH CRIMPING DEVICE FOR MATRIX BAND RETAINING CLAMP: (A) A MATRIX RETAINER PROVIDED WITH A SLOTTED HEAD ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED ALONGSIDE A PATIENT''S TOOTH, AND HAVING ITS SLOT ARRANGED FOR SLIDABLY RECEIVING OVERLAPPED END SECTIONS OF A LOOPED MATRIX BAND, WITH THE LOOP OF THE BAND EXTENDING FROM THE HEAD TO ENCIRCLE THE TOOTH; (B) THE SLOT OF THE HEAD EXTENDING INTO THE LATTER FROM A GINGIVAL ASPECT OF THE HEAD, AND BEING MADE TO REMOVABLY RECEIVE A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED RETAINING CLAMP HAVING ITS LEGS DISPOSED TO STRADDLE THE OVERLAPPED END SECTIONS OF THE BAND; (C) THE SLOTTED HEAD DEFINING A PAIR OF FINGERS DISPOSED TO BEAR AGAINST AND SUPPORT THE LEGS OF THE CLAMP; 